* For example, POITRA created and maintained the public information websites for the Southeast Corridor MIS (TREX), the North Metro Major Investment Study (MIS) and the US36 Corridor MIS beginning in 1998. The North Metro Corridor Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is part of the Regional Transportation District's (RTD) new FasTracks Project, which is advancing several corridors to the design phase.

The North Metro Corridor is one of several proposed transit corridors in the Denver Regional Transportation District's (RTD) FasTracks program that have been evaluated throughout the Metro area as Environmental Impact Statements (EIS). Most of the corridors originate in downtown Denver's Union Terminal (DUT) and radiate out to the suburbs. POITRA Visual has provided several types of services on nearly all of these corridors at some point in their long histories.*

The North Metro Corridor takes advantage of abandoned or little used freight rail corridors that served Denver's northern suburbs. Because of the length of the line and possible interaction with commercial freight rail, a heavy commuter rail concept was proposed. Both Electric Multiple Units (EMU) and Diesel Multiple Units (DMU) were evaluated.

Noise abatement was a major element in the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) evaluation, particularly for the neighborhoods in close proximity to the corridor. One such neighborhood is near 126th Avenue.

POITRA artists created custom 3D models of the DMU and EMU commuter vehicles. Potential RTD colors and marking combinations were developed uniquely for both by POITRA.

Photo-simulations proved to be the best medium to accurately evaluate the visual impacts and for the project team to confidently present the alternatives to the public stakeholders. The view used for this simulation was selected from POITRA survey photographs and compared the visual impacts of sound wall height differences from the corridor.

Poitra Visual's illustrations of bridges, catenary systems, additional railroad track and sound walls reassured the public that this new transit service could be an attractive addition to their communities.”

K.P., P.E. URS Corp
North Metro Project Manager

Because of the prominence of the vehicles in the view it became a wonderful image to showcase the differences in the appearance of the proposed commuter vehicles. Neither of the proposed vehicles had yet been manufactured and exist only as POITRA custom 3D models.

POITRA created each photo-simulation using combined 3D rendering and traditional digital painting techniques. The work was guided by the Engineer's conceptual plans. POITRA created a 3D model that included EMU and DMU sized sound barriers, the EMU catenary system and both types of vehicles. The model was camera matched, lighted, rendered and composited with the photograph to create final photo-simulations.

The finished simulations were used in meetings with Fastracks public stakeholders, on the project website, in newsletters and in the EIS document.